That's probably my problem then. Seems as if the oil pump shaft turned on me cause it will not point to #1 at TDC no matter what I do. I think I'll have to get a long screw driver or something...

 

Yeah, use a long flat screw driver and whatever you DON"T DROP IT IN THERE. If you have too, tie string to it just to make sure. Twist the distributor a little and you will know if it is in if the distirbutor sits flush with the manifold. If there is a little gap, then its not touching the oil shaft.

 

And don't worry, I went though the same thing you did. I think it took me at least 20 times to finally get it right.

 

GOT IT!!! Thanks for your help and reassurance! I was able to get a long screw driver in there and turn it just enough for the shaft to sit down properly with the rotor now pointing at cylinder #1. Put everything back together and wammo, it starts and the timing was pretty damn close. I then set it to 8 deg adv. Now, I just gotta tackle the no start when warm issue, but I'll move that to a new thread. Thanks again guys!!

 

I believe timing is 6 deg advance.

 

Glad we could be of some help.

 

boy with your distributor and your pig rich smell you got some issues.

You're TDC procedure is correct. Now that the #1 is up on TDC(compression stroke) the rotor should be pointing toward #1-#3 cylinder, and the #1 terminal on your cap should line up with the rotor. Now this is where it gets tricky...what terminal are you using as #1 on your cap? you could have the wires off sequence so #1 is not where it's supposed to be. Basically #1 and #8 terminals should face you as you look at the cap when its bolted on the distributor. Now you can move the oil pump driveshaft with a long flat blade screwdriver so the slot is pointing towards#5 cylinder. When the distributor drops in and hits the manifold you've engaged the oil pump drive. Doing this before you put in the distributor should make it drop right where it's supposed to be. Then put your cap on and check to see if the rotor lines up with the nearest terminal(#1) and wire it from there(1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2)
Start car with the timing connector disconnected and set the base timing to 6BTDC.

 

Said that already.